Reusable aerosol dispenser

ABSTRACT

A refillable and rechargeable aerosol dispenser adapted for home filling and pressurization as well as refilling and repressurization by the consumer. A removable closure member is provided for sealing off a product-fill opening located in the base of the dispenser container. The removable closure location provides (a) that no modification to conventional aerosol neck structures or dispensing valve assemblies need be made, and (b) that conventional aerosol container design can be simplified by inserting the valve body through the open base and affixing the valve body directly to the container neck. The closure member is readily secured to or removed from the container by simply operated means of either a screw-on closure or a snap-on closure. In the snap-on closure the internal gas or vapor pressure in the container is utilized to secure the closure member in place and thus seal the dispenser container. In one embodiment, the propellent fill valve is secured directly to the closure member to permit pressurization through the base of the container, allowing the top dispensing valve to be of the toggle action type for the dispensing of heavy foams and whips. An optional plunger can be inserted through the base opening after the container is inverted and filled with a viscous or semi-solid product. After securing the closure member to the container, the container is pressurized by connecting a propellent bomb to the propellent fill valve so as to charge the chamber enclosed by the plunger. Actuation of the top dispensing valve causes the plunger to be driven upwards, thereby ejecting the product.

United States Patent [191 a King [451 June 18, 1974 Hugh R. King, 1075First Ave, New York, NY. 10022 [22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:173,529

[76] lnventor:

[52] US. Cl 141/20, 222/135, 222/402.16 [51] Int. Cl B651) 31/00 [58]Field of Search. 141/20; 222/135, 374, 402.16,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,702,600 2/1955 Allen169/31 2,841,190 7/1958 Scheck...... 141/20 3,131,733 5/1964 Monahon141/20 X 3,181,737 5/1965 Chaucer 141/20 X 3,273,607 9/1966 O'Neil141/20 X 3,513,886 5/1970 Easter 141/20 Primary Examiner-Robert B.Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky [57] ABSTRACT A refillableand rechargeable aerosol dispenser adapted for home-filling andpressurization as well as refilling and repressurization by theconsumer. A removable closure member is provided for sealing off aproduct-fill opening located in the base of the dispenser container. Theremovable closure location provides (a) that no modification toconventional aerosol neck structures or dispensing valve assemblies needbe made, and (b) that conventional aerosol container de sign can besimplified by inserting the valve body through the open base andaffixing the valve body directly to the container neck. The closuremember is readily secured to or removed from the container by simplyoperated means of either a screw-on closure or a snap-on closure. In thesnap-on closure the internal gas or vapor pressure in the container isutilized to secure the closure member in place and thus seal thedispenser container. In one embodiment, the propellent fill valve issecured directly to the closure member to permit pressurization throughthe base of the container, allowing the top dispensing valve to be ofthe toggle action type for the dispensing of heavy foams and whips. Anoptional plunger can be inserted through the base opening after thecontainer is inverted and filled with a viscous or semi-solid product.After securing the closure member to the container, the container ispressurized by connecting a propellent bomb to the propellent fill valveso.as to charge the chamber enclosed by the plunger. Actuation of thetop dispensing valve causes the plunger to be driven upwards, therebyejecting the product.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures REUSABLE AEROSOL DISPENSER FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to the general area of refillable andrechargeable pressurized containers, in particular to aerosol dispenserssuch as are conventionally used by the consumer to eject variousproducts in spray, foam, or semi-solid and viscous form, but so modifiedas to permit initial home filling and pressurization as well asrefilling and repressurizati'on.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is known that several attempts have beenmade to design a commercially feasible reusable aerosol dispenser, butall efforts in this direction have heretofore involved an elaboratemodification of the standard and accepted aerosol container such as torequire cumbersome and relatively expensive additions to the aerosolvalve assembly and/or container itself. Where container modificationitself has not been extensive, all prior art on closure devices haveinvolved complex and multiple unitretaining rings and valve cups, makingthe effort and skill in handling such devices far in excess of thatnormally encountered in other household container closures. Moreover,virtually all designs heretofore of reusable aerosol dispensers havebeen limited to the spray type without regard to the ejection of heavyfoams, whips, or highly viscous and semi-solid products. Finally, priorart indicates no concern over the safe and non-explosive escape of gasesin the event of accidental or forceful removal of the closure beforedepressurization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide asimple modification of the conventional pressurized container whichmakes the manufacture of a reusable home aerosol well within thecapabilities of current mass aerosol can production techniques andmachinery.

It is another object to provide a container which requires nomodification whatsoever to current and standard valves, valveassemblies, or conventional methods of affixing the valve assembly tothe container.

It is another object to provide an aerosol dispenser wherein thepressurization of the container is effected by a simple transfer ofpropellent from a standard and sealed aerosol bomb to the reusablecontainer through conventional valve bodies and/or valve assemblies.

It is another object to provide an aerosol dispenser which facilitatesaccess to the interior of the empty or depressurized container as wellas facilitating closure of such container after filling, such that theconsumer need handle only a single-unit capping device and with no moredifficulty or skill than is common in the closures of other standardhousehold containers.

It is another object to provide an aerosol dispenser having a closuremember which can not be accidentally or forcefully removed without aprior release of gas or vapor pressure in the container.

It is another object to provide an aerosol dispenser which utilizes acontainer permitting different but standard valve bodies or assembliesto be affixed to the container during manufacture so as to provide theconsumer with the option of dispensing foams, whips, sprays, or viscousand semi-solid products according to the product or usage desired.

It is another object to provide an aerosol dispenser which permitssimplification of aerosol can manufao ture by extruding or compacting ofthe basic container in a form which allows the standard valve body to bereadily affixed directly to the container.

It is a further object to provide a small purse or travel size reusableaerosol dispenser, for such products as shaving foam and hair spray,which can be economically utilized without the excessive consumerexpense that would have heretofore been incurred in the shortterm useand disposal of so limited-a-capacity sealed aerosol unit.

These and other objects, which will become apparent from the detaileddisclosure and claims to follow, are achieved by the present inventionwhich provides a reusable aerosol dispenser adapted for filling andpressurization by a comsumer, including a container having an opening atan end thereof, and a removable closure member for closing off saidcontainer opening and adapted with sealing means forming an air-tightseal of the container opening. The closure member is removably securedto the container in sealing engagement therewith, such closure memberbeing readily removable to permit filling or refilling of the containerthrough the opening with the desired product. An aerosol dispensingvalve is supported at an end of the container and can additionallyfunction as a propellent fill valve. A propellent transfer deviceconnects the stem of the aerosol dispensing valve in fluid communicationwith the valve stem of a propellant charging bomb whereby a chargingpropellent is transferred from the charging bomb to the container, thcharging bomb being-disconnected from the container when pressure issubstantially equalized between the charging bomb and the container.

In one embodiment, a screw-on closure member is provided with a gasketseal which is pressed in sealing engagement with the container as suchclosure member is secured to the container. In another embodiment, asnap-on closure member includes a gasket seal assembly which acts toseal the opening as a result of the internal gas or vapor pressure inthe containenthis internal pressure also acting to secure the closuremember to the container. In still another embodiment, a propellent fillvalve is secured to the closure member to permit pressurization directlythrough the base of the container. In certain applications, a plungercan be inserted through the base opening after the container is invertedand filled with a viscous or semi-solid product. After securing theclosure member to the container, the container is pressurized byconnecting a propellent bomb to the propellent fill valve so as to filla propellent chamber enclosed by the plunger. An aerosol dispensingvalve located at the top of the container is actuated to cause theplungerto be driven upwards, thereby ejecting the product through thedispensing valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reusable aerosol dispenser madeaccording to the present invention, cut-away to reveal a screw-typebottom closure member, and with a propellent aerosol bomb shown inposition for pressurization of the dispenser;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the closure member andcontainer, taken substantially along the line 22 indicated on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the means forinterconnecting the propellent bomb valve with the dispensing orpropellent fill valve, taken substantially along the line 33 indicatedon FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section of a portion of the closuremember taken substantially along line 44 indicated on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, cut-a-way view of another aerosol configurationmade according to this invention and illustrating its adaptation to thepressurized ejection of viscous and semi-solid products;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the base portion of theaerosol dispenser, taken substantially along the line 6-6 indicated onFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-a-way view of the bottom portion of areusable aerosol, illustrating an alternate capping or closure memberapplicable to containers constructed according to this invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the closure member andcontainer, taken substantially along the line 88 on FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2designates a container of the general configuration and material commonto cans manufactured for the aerosol industry, though not limited tothis material, with the exception of a slightly thickened and threadedbase indicated at 12 in FIG. 1 and in more accurate proportion to thebody of the container shown in FIG. 2. Container 10 includes a rolledneck 13 and an aerosol valve cup assembly 14 including a dip-stick 14a,affixed by conventional methods to the neck 13 during manufacture.

A base closure plug 15 molded of rigid plastic, or alternately, stampedout of metal with rolled threading, is screwed in or out of the base 12as indicated to provide access to the empty or depressurized interior ofcontainer 10 and/or to seal the container 10 for pressurization. Agasket seal 16 is affixed as indicated to the closure plug 15 to providesecure closure of the container 10. The outer edge 17 of the closureplug 15 extends so as to be flush with the outer wall of the containerl0 and this edge 17 is knurled or otherwise roughened to provide an easymanual opening and closing.

A conventional sealed aerosol propellent bomb 20 is filled duringmanufacture with the appropriate propellent and is utilized for directpressurization of the container 10 through a plastic transfer tube 22affixed by pressure fitting to the valve 23 of the propellent bomb 20 atthe valve stem 23a. Also affixed, or snapped-on,

' to the propellent bomb 20 is a thin plastic ring 24 that snaps over oron the cup rings 25a and b, respectively, of the propellent bomb 20 andthe container 10.

The transfer tube 22 is so designed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, that thedownward pressure exercised in the snapping of the propellent bomb 20onto the container 10 by means of of the plastic ring 24 will depressboth the stem 23a and thus open the valve 23 of the propellent bomb 20,and also depress the valve stem 26a of the valve 26 of container 10,thus allowing the transferral of propellent from the bomb 20 to thecontainer 10. When the gas or vapor pressure between the container l0and the propellent bomb 20 is equalized, the transfer of propellent willcease and the propellent bomb 20 can be snapped off. A standard aerosolactuator is then placed on the stem 26a of valve 26 and the container 10is ready for use.

Before such pressurization. of course, the container 10 will have beenfilled with the desired product and the closure plug 15 properlymounted. Since the product fill will occupy the greater portion of theinterior of the container 10, it is apparent that only a small amount,as is desired, of propellent will transfer from the bomb 20 to thecontainer 10 before the aforesaid equalization of pressure completes thetransfer.

A small channel 27, indicated in FIG. 4 in horizontal section, is cut ormolded into the threaded side of closure plug 15 to provide a safetyexit for the pressurized vapor or propellent in the event the closureplug 15 is unsealed accidentally or forcefully while the container 10 isstill under pressurization. Any breaking of the aforesaid seal orunseating of the gasket 16 will instantly release through the channel 27any internal vapor or gas pressure before the closure plug 15 can becompletely uncrewed or removed, thus preventing any violent or explosiveejection of material. This channel 27 also provides an open port betweenthe interior of the container 10 and the outside air until the closureplug 15 is securely screwed in and gasket is seated, thus preventing thepressurization of the container 10 until the closure plug 15 is properlysecured.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown another embodiment of anaerosol container 30 made according to this invention, wherein thebottom closure plug 31 includes a propellant fill valve 32 such that thecontainer 30 is pressurized through the base rather than through the topas is the case in the device shown in FIG. 1.

Container 30 is illustrated as containing a plastic plunger 33 which isinserted through the open bottom end of the container 30 before thesetting of the base closure plug 31 and after a fill of viscous orsemi-solid product in the upper interior portion 34 of the container 30.After closure, the container 30 is pressurized by snapping on a standardpropellent bomb 20 by means of the heretofore described plastic ring 24,with the propellent bomb 20 now held in an upright position asillustrated so that only gas or vapor pressure, as opposed to liquifiedpropellent, is transferred into chamber 35 enclosed by the plasticplunger 33. A bellowstype plunger arrangement, not shown, can be used toinsure complete segregation between the propellent chamber and thedispensed product. Since in this configuration virtually no propellentescapes during use of the container 30, it is unnecessary to transferany liquified propellent such as is required to maintain vapor pressurein the configuration of container 10 shown in FIG. 1, where thepropellent is mixed with and propelled with the product. In thecontainer 30 shown in FIG. 5, the vapor pressure created in chamber 35under pressurization is sufficient to force the plastic plunger 33upwards in container 30 whenthe standard toggle action valve 36 ismanually opened by displacement from the vertical, thus ejecting theviscous product in portion 34 through the orifice 37 in valve 36.

The vapor pressure transfer from the propellent bomb 20 to the aforesaidchamber 35 is effected through the valve 23 of the propellent bomb 20connected to the valve 32 of the container 30 by means of a simpleplastic transfer tube 22 hereinbefore described as attached to thepropellent bomb 20. Also, as previously described in connection with thedevice of FIG. 1, the pressure exercised in the snapping of thepropellent bomb 20 onto the container or container 30 by the plasticring 24 is sufficient to effect the desired propellent transfer.

It will'be noted that both the body of the toggle action valve 36 andthe body of the propellent transfer valve 32 are standard assembliesreadily available in the aerosol industry. In both cases however, thesevalves are directly seated in the container 30 housing. This has theadvantage of eliminating the labor and materials otherwise required infirst seating the valve body in a valve cup, as is-conventionally done,and then affixing the valve cup to the container housing. The transfervalve 32 is simply snap-forced into the plastic housing 38 of theclosure plug 31. If the plug 31 is of stamped metal, then valve 32 isclamped in by the conventional method of seating this type of valve intothe standard valve cup. Similarly, the toggle action valve 36 isforceseated into the open hole 39 at the top of the container 30 in thesame manner as this type valve is conventionally force-seated into astandard valve cup.

The result of this economy and simplification is that the total of thecontainer 30 upper housing, apart from the closure plug 31, can bestamped out or extruded in one piece, eliminating the conventionalrolled-neck operation, so that it is ready for the simple insertion ofthe valve 36. This has not been possible heretofore since the insertionof the valve body must be made from inside the container top, which isimpossible in the conventional sealed bottom can.

The purpose of using a toggle action valve, such as 36 in container 30,is that these valves provide an orifice 37 of sufficient size to permitthe ejecting of semi-solid and heavily viscous products, as opposed tothe standard spray and foam valves, such as 23 or 32. It is im portantto note, however, that container 30 can also be operated without the useor insertion of the plastic plunger 33, in cases where a large-orifice,toggleaction valve 36 is desired for the injection of a heavy foam orwhip. In this case, however, where the propellent is mixed with andejected with the product, the vertical positions of the propellent bomband the container would be reversed from the position illustrated duringpressurization with both in and upside-down position, in order to effecta transfer of liquified propellent as well as vapor.

It is apparent from the foregoing that this invention also allows inanother application the complete elimination from container 30 of thetoggle valve assembly 36 and the closure of hole 39, such that bothpressurization and aerosol fluid ejection takes place through standardvalve 32, so that the closure plug 31 becomes in effect the cap or topof container 30.

Having described the application of this invention to,

first, the construction of a reusable home aerosol dispenser for thespray and foam ejection of various liquid products, illustrated in FIGS.1 through 4 by dispenser l0, and secondly, the construction of areusable home aerosol dispenser for the ejection of semi-solid, viscousand heavy whip products, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 by dispenser 20,reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrating another type ofclosure and closure method which is applicable to and can, if desired,be

substituted for the screw-type closure 15 in container l0 and thescrew-type closure 31 in container 20. It is to be noted that while thedevice shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 represent the aforesaid closure as appliedto the bottom of a container 40, it should be apparent that said closureis equally adaptable to a top closure of the aerosol container.

The reference numeral 40 generally denotes an aerosol containergenerally of the types shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, but having the removableclosure embodied in the cut-away bottom view of container 40. Thecontainer 40 includes a narrow, turned-in flange 44 at the open endthrough which a tabular gasket 42 fits when the cap 41 is placed in aposition of closure, said cap 41 being firmly affixed to the lower endof gasket 32. The outside diameter of gasket 42 is equal to the diameterof the opening in container 40 defined by flange 44 with the exceptionof a raised circumferential sealing bead 45 protruding from the outersurface of gasket 42, such that this bead 45 must be depressed to forcethe gasket fully through flange 44 during closure, said force causingthe gasket 42 with its affixed cap 41 to snap onto container 40. Gasket42 has mounted within it a tubular gasket support piston 43 with a flatdisc top 46 that extends over and is secured to the rim of gasket 42,said top 46 having a diameter also equal to such outside diameter ofgasket 42 so that insertion can be made through the opening of flange44.

Container 40 is designed to narrow or decrease in diameter at point 47so as to cause such outside rim of gasket 42 to abut or be contiguouswith the inner surface of container 40 at said point 47. The tubularbody of gasket support piston 43 fits snugly but freely within gasket 42such that when propellent pressure indicated by arrow 48 insidecontainer 40 presses on the upper surface of piston top 46, forcing thepiston to the position indicated by dotted line 49, then the upperportion of gasket 42 will buckle and be compressed into the area definedby dotted line 50, said compression thus providing a solid seal betweengasket 42 and the inner face of flange 44 as well as prohibiting thefurther movement or explusion of the cap 41 and gasket 42 assembly fromcontainer 10. The movement of piston 43 to position 49 restricts thecompression of sealing bead 45 so that said bead 45 provides sufficientresistance against explusion through flange 44 to result in theaforesaid buckling and compression of gasket 42 during the start ofpressurization, which in turn prevents any subsequent compression orunsnapping of bead 45 under increased and final pressurization. When thepropellent pressure is removed from within the container 40, the gasket42 recovers its original tubular form so that the cap and gasketassembly can be readily unsnapped.

It is to be pointed out that applicants technique of utilizing theinternal aerosol pressure both to seal the container and simultaneouslyto secure a removable closure for said container, is not intended to berestricted to the particular gasket or container construction hereinillustrated. Rather, it should be apparent that any and all applicationsof the aforesaid technique to pressurized containers fall within thescope of this invention.

Finally, it is important to note that conventional aerosols areconstructed of metal rather than rigid plastic largely because of theproblems of container shelf-life under pressurization due to theprorosity breathing of plastic. However, since most applications of thisinvention are designed for relatively short-term and intermittent homeuse and re-use, there appears to be no reason from the functionalstandpoint, why containers made according to this invention could not bemolded from appropriate plastic materials.

Although the above description is directed to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art and, therefore, may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a reusable aerosol dispenser adapted for filling andpressurization by a consumer, and a charging device for pressurizingsaid dispenser, comprising:

a. a container having an opening at an end thereof;

b. a removable closure member for closing off said container opening,said closure member adapted with sealing means forming an air-tight sealof said container opening;

c. securing means for removably securing said closure member to saidcontainer and in sealing engagement therewith; said closure member beingremovable to permit filling of the container through said opening withthe desired product, said closure member and said securing meanscontituting a single unit capping device for said container;

d. said closure means and said securing means comprising an internalflange extending annularly around said container opening, a flexibletubular gasket adapted for fitting within said opening and adjacent saidinternal flange, an annular retaining cap affixed to one end of saidtubular gasket which provides an outwardly turned shoulder for saidtubular gasket, a closure top being affixed to the other end of saidtubular gasket, an annular sealing bead on said tubular gasket extendingaround the outer circumference of said tubular gasket and located inwardfrom the ends of said gasket, said annular sealing beam adapted to bedepressed to permit said bead to be forced past the internal flange onsaid container to a position whereby said annular sealing bead snapsinto position and is held by said internal flange, with said internalflange fitting between said annular sealing bead and said retaining capwhereby the internal gas or vapor pressure of said container acts toboth seal said container by pressing said annular sealing bead againstthe container walls and to simultaneously secure said closure member tosaid container;

. an aerosol dispensing valve means supported at the top end of saidcontainer;

. a charging device including a propellent charging bomb having anaerosol bomb valve for dispensing a propellent under pressure; and

g. propellent transfer means for connecting the stem of said aerosoldispensing valve means in fluid communication with the stem of said bombvalve whereby a charging propellent is transferred from said chargingbomb to said container, said charging bomb being disconnected from saidcontainer of said container with a desired product prior topressurization of said container.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a narrowedannular neck portion on said container adjacent the container opening,said narrowed neck porwhen pressure is substantially equalized betweention abutting with the outside rim of said tubular gasket near the endwhere said closure top is affixed to said gasket.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said tubular gasket hasmounted within it adjacent the gasket inner wall a tubular supportpiston connected at one end to said closure top, said support pistonfitting tightly against, but freely within said gasket, whereby whenpropellent pressure is exerted against said closure top from within saidcontainer, said support piston will move axially relative to said gasketas said gasket becomes deformed, said support piston acting to maintainsaid sealing bead against the container walls.

4. In combination, a reusable aerosol dispenser adapted for filling andpressurization by a consumer, and a charging device for pressurizingsaid dispenser, comprising:

a. a container having an opening at an end thereof;

b. a removable closure member for closing off said container opening,said closure member adapted with sealing means forming an air-tight sealof said container opening;

c. securing means for removably securing said closure member to saidcontainer and in sealing engagement therewith; said closure member beingremovable to permit filling of the container through said opening withthe desired product, said closure member and said securing meansconstituting a single unit capping device for said container;

d. said means for removably securing said closure member to saidcontainer comprising thread means extending a circle or partial circlearound the opening in said container, mating threads extending around orpartially around the periphery of said closure member, and an annularsealing gasket extending around said periphery and affixed to saidclosure member, said sealing gasket being seated at the base of saidthreads on said closure member, whereby said closure member forms anair-tight seal with said container upon screwing said closure memberonto said container, and said closure member can be readily removed byunscrewing said closure member to permit refilling of said containerwith desired product;

e. said closure member of said container including a channel cut axiallyacross the threads of said closure member, said channel being closed offby said sealing gasket while said closure member seals the opening insaid container, and said channel being opened to permit the escape ofpressure through said channel when said seal is broken by unscrewing theclosure member prior to depressurization;

f. an aerosol dispensing valve means supported at the top end of saidcontainer;

g. a charging device including a propellent charging bomb having anaerosol bomb valve for dispensing a propellent under pressure; and

h. propellent transfer means for connecting the stem of said aerosoldispensing valve means in fluid communication with the stern of saidbomb valve said closure member is removed as a single unit from saidcontainer to permit the filling or refilling of said container with adesired product prior to pressurization of said container.

1. In combination, a reusable aerosol dispenser adapted for filling andpressurization by a consumer, and a charging device for pressurizingsaid dispenser, comprising: a. a container having an opening at an endthereof; b. a removable closure member for closing off said containeropening, said closure member adapted with sealing means forming anair-tight seal of said container opening; c. securing means forremovably securing said closure member to said container and in sealingengagement therewith; said closure member being removable to permitfilling of the container through said opening with the desired product,said closure member and said securing means contituting a single unitcapping device for said container; d. said closure means and saidsecuring means comprising an internal flange extending annularly aroundsaid container oPening, a flexible tubular gasket adapted for fittingwithin said opening and adjacent said internal flange, an annularretaining cap affixed to one end of said tubular gasket which providesan outwardly turned shoulder for said tubular gasket, a closure topbeing affixed to the other end of said tubular gasket, an annularsealing bead on said tubular gasket extending around the outercircumference of said tubular gasket and located inward from the ends ofsaid gasket, said annular sealing beam adapted to be depressed to permitsaid bead to be forced past the internal flange on said container to aposition whereby said annular sealing bead snaps into position and isheld by said internal flange, with said internal flange fitting betweensaid annular sealing bead and said retaining cap whereby the internalgas or vapor pressure of said container acts to both seal said containerby pressing said annular sealing bead against the container walls and tosimultaneously secure said closure member to said container; e. anaerosol dispensing valve means supported at the top end of saidcontainer; f. a charging device including a propellent charging bombhaving an aerosol bomb valve for dispensing a propellent under pressure;and g. propellent transfer means for connecting the stem of said aerosoldispensing valve means in fluid communication with the stem of said bombvalve whereby a charging propellent is transferred from said chargingbomb to said container, said charging bomb being disconnected from saidcontainer when pressure is substantially equalized between said chargingbomb and said container; whereby said closure member is removed as asingle unit from said container to permit the filling or refilling ofsaid container with a desired product prior to pressurization of saidcontainer.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising anarrowed annular neck portion on said container adjacent the containeropening, said narrowed neck portion abutting with the outside rim ofsaid tubular gasket near the end where said closure top is affixed tosaid gasket.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said tubulargasket has mounted within it adjacent the gasket inner wall a tubularsupport piston connected at one end to said closure top, said supportpiston fitting tightly against, but freely within said gasket, wherebywhen propellent pressure is exerted against said closure top from withinsaid container, said support piston will move axially relative to saidgasket as said gasket becomes deformed, said support piston acting tomaintain said sealing bead against the container walls.
 4. Incombination, a reusable aerosol dispenser adapted for filling andpressurization by a consumer, and a charging device for pressurizingsaid dispenser, comprising: a. a container having an opening at an endthereof; b. a removable closure member for closing off said containeropening, said closure member adapted with sealing means forming anair-tight seal of said container opening; c. securing means forremovably securing said closure member to said container and in sealingengagement therewith; said closure member being removable to permitfilling of the container through said opening with the desired product,said closure member and said securing means constituting a single unitcapping device for said container; d. said means for removably securingsaid closure member to said container comprising thread means extendinga circle or partial circle around the opening in said container, matingthreads extending around or partially around the periphery of saidclosure member, and an annular sealing gasket extending around saidperiphery and affixed to said closure member, said sealing gasket beingseated at the base of said threads on said closure member, whereby saidclosure member forms an air-tight seal with said container upon screwingsaid closure member onto said container, and said closure member can bereadily removed by uNscrewing said closure member to permit refilling ofsaid container with desired product; e. said closure member of saidcontainer including a channel cut axially across the threads of saidclosure member, said channel being closed off by said sealing gasketwhile said closure member seals the opening in said container, and saidchannel being opened to permit the escape of pressure through saidchannel when said seal is broken by unscrewing the closure member priorto depressurization; f. an aerosol dispensing valve means supported atthe top end of said container; g. a charging device including apropellent charging bomb having an aerosol bomb valve for dispensing apropellent under pressure; and h. propellent transfer means forconnecting the stem of said aerosol dispensing valve means in fluidcommunication with the stem of said bomb valve whereby a chargingpropellent is transferred from said charging bomb to said container,said charging bomb being disconnected from said container when pressureis substantially equalized between said charging bomb and saidcontainer; whereby said closure member is removed as a single unit fromsaid container to permit the filling or refilling of said container witha desired product prior to pressurization of said container.